Bulls Q&A: Is Cristiano Felicio this unplayable? Will the Bulls bring back Derrick Rose?

Here are some questions and answers for All-Star break reading, in between breaking down film of Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic of course.

Will management force the coaching staff’s hand and play players like Cristiano Felicio and Cameron Payne more down the stretch? — Everyone, The World

Check the sender of this question. Because the Tribune seriously received it in some variation about 22 times. (Shout out to David G. from Australia, who used a colorful word that can’t be printed in a family-oriented website.)

Here’s the short answer: Yes.

Here’s the long answer: From the day of the Nikola Mirotic trade, executive vice president John Paxson has been clear on this. And while Paxson hasn’t used the word tanking — and, quite frankly, it may be too late for that — he has said it’s important to fully know what the Bulls have in all their young players. The first look at Payne last season wasn’t a good one. Felicio has regressed this season.

Remember: Part of the process for this rebuild is identifying who sticks moving forward beyond the core of Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine. Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine have seemingly carved out roles. The stretch run will be used to see if anybody else can.

Is Felicio really this unplayable? Why the big stepback from last year? — Nick, Chicago

That four-year, $32 million deal drew scant reaction when Felicio signed it because affordable cost certainty for a backup center looked good. The debate used to be: Can Felicio be a starting center if the Bulls trade Robin Lopez? Now, your question nails the debate: Can he play at all?

His regression is mystifying. Not so much on the offensive end, as he has missed Dwyane Wade driving and setting him up with lob dunks and his hands and lack of a go-to move always made that area more questionable. But defensively, Felicio used to be able to disrupt pick-and-rolls and guard smaller players on the perimeter with athleticism and footwork. Where has that gone?

It does look a bit like he’s not in as good of shape as last season. So play him 24-30 minutes every night down the stretch. See what you have.

Do you think Cameron Payne will be on the team next season? — Alfonso, 83000 zip code

Props to the Mexican zip code. And while some may think Payne belongs in an international league rather than the NBA, the Bulls picked up his $3.2 million option for next season. So barring being used as a throw-in on a larger trade, he’s back. Like Felicio, this is why he needs to play down the stretch.

Where do you think Derrick Rose will end up playing this year? Marvin T., Chicago

It’s still amazing that this is a question, but it is and a legitimate one at that. Even though he has been linked to the Timberwolves, Tom Thibodeau often hasn’t found enough time for Tyus Jones. So I’m not sure that works. But given how little other interest has been mentioned, him sitting out until free agency this summer is a real possibility. So is—yikes—this being the end of the road? Rose has left both the Knicks and Cavaliers the last two seasons under personal circumstances that has led to speculation he may walk away. This story truly remains one of the more remarkable falls from grace in pro sports history.

Will the Bulls bring back Derrick Rose? Argie G., Toronto

That’s not happening.

Does Fred Hoiberg need to do a better job of getting Lauri Markkanen shots early? I think LaVine will be great but he’s trying to shoot every time. — Emir, San Jose, Calif.

Actually, Jerian Grant does. Nobody has missed Kris Dunn more than Markkanen. What’s crazy is Grant has put up some great stat lines, but he’s not a true point guard and often seems allergic to finding Markkanen.

Hoiberg addressed this after the Timberwolves game in which Markkkanen took just seven shots. He has attempted 19 in each of the two games following. Expect that to continue.

As for your question, I learned long ago fans can react however they want assuming they’re not personally degrading people or acting violently. Without fans, neither Cameron Payne nor I have a job.

What’s the likelihood the Bulls chase a big-name free agent this summer to team up with the young core that has developed faster than expected? James, Buffalo, N.Y.

The Bulls indeed project to be one of the few teams with ample salary cap space this summer. But barring LeBron James wanting to come here — breaking: he won’t — it’s unlikely they pursue a big-money player. All management has talked about is patience and building through the draft in the early stages of this rebuild. I’d guess they’ll try to fill needs with the kind of professional veterans like Justin Holiday rather than big-money players.

Where do you see the Bulls landing in the lottery? — Fred, Milwaukee

Man, there are a lot of bad teams this season. That’s why, even if the Bulls sit Holiday and Lopez more down the stretch, the damage could be done. Particularly if Dunn, LaVine and Markkanen are healthy and playing. They’ll win some games just by hot games alone. It’s impossible to predict where the Bulls end up drafting, although it’s wild that the last draft lottery before reform is the first one ever outside of New York and in Chicago. The Bulls are probably going to need some lottery luck.